Staycation Spots Close To Home

Not going anywhere this spring break? Well, look around.

It might not be the first spring break destination you think of, but McHenry County has plenty to offer, especially for families.

“People are doing shorter getaways,” says Cort Carlson, executive director of the McHenry County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. “The traditional two-week vacation is very rare these days.”

The bureau has worked to make the county a “viable destination” for those in Chicago and the suburbs, Carlson says. The poor economy has left many families unable to afford big trips or even outings to Chicago.

This spring break, you can take in a show at the Raue Center for the Arts, the Woodstock Opera House or other area theaters. You also can visit an area art gallery such as the Old Court House Arts Center in Woodstock, for a fraction of the cost.

“People are looking to stay local and do more local events rather than spending $300 a night in Chicago,” Carlson says.

Take a hike
The spring also is an ideal time to take advantage of all the McHenry County Conservation District has to offer.

“We recognize we don’t have the big theme parks and the big indoor shopping malls,” Carlson says. “But we take what we have, which is the outdoor recreation.”

The district includes more than 40 miles of trails scattered throughout 16 sites for hiking and biking.
For those interested in longer treks, the 26-mile Prairie Trail winds from the McHenry County line south of Algonquin to the Wisconsin border, following what once was a Chicago and Northwestern rail line.

“If the weather turns nice, just get out and enjoy the outdoors,” Carlson says. “It’s nice to get the kids out and do some early spring hiking.”

He suggested Glacial Park, which spans about 2,806 acres in Ringwood.

A relatively new “Bikes on Trains” program offered by Metra allows Chicago riders to bring their bikes along and get off in Woodstock, McHenry or Crystal Lake. There they’ll have easy access to the county’s bike paths.

And while they’re at it, they can stay at a nearby bed and breakfast, Carlson suggests.

Museums and more
Rather stay indoors?

Head to Donley’s Wild West Town or the Illinois Railway Museum, both in Union. Or take in the Volo Auto Museum, known for having the world’s most famous cars and as one of the Midwest’s largest all-indoor attractions.

Travelers come from all over to visit the museum, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Yet, some of its neighbors might be surprised at the extent of the museum’s offerings.

“The biggest problem in Lake and McHenry County is we’re here, and they don’t know what it is,” President Greg Grams says. “When they come here, they’re like, ‘Oh my God, I don’t believe it,’” he says. “Most people when they live 5 to 8 miles away, they always figure they can go here tomorrow and maybe it’s not that big. But it’s huge.”

The museum features about 300 collectible cars, including the Batmobile from “The Dark Knight” and the Ferrari used in “Miami Vice,” as well as cars from “Pretty Woman,” “Animal House,” “Men in Black,” “Indiana Jones” and “The Fast and the Furious.”

On March 26, a new “Hollywood Hall of Fame” exhibit opens at the museum. For more information, go to www.volocars.com. The exhibit includes a collection of rare cars featured in “The Great Race” in 1965, as well as the original “Doc Hudson” from Disney Pixar’s “Cars.”

Other attractions are a “Million Dollar Bizarre Car Collection” and the full-scale version of the “Playmates Toys” van as seen in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle cartoon.

“It’s kind of neat because the cars are always changing here,” Grams says. “My goal over here is I like to put smiles on people’s faces.”

Those at Glo-Bowl Fun Center, set to open in early May in Marengo, have a similar goal.

The center will include a bowling alley, restaurant and game room ideal for birthday parties, as well as corporate and family outings, says Sue Dobbe, president of Dobbe Marketing. Dobbe represents the center’s owners, who also own Lindow’s Appliances in Marengo.

Dobbe remembers her own extended family having a standing bowling date the first Sunday of every month so they could spend more time together.

“(It was) ‘Come if you can. Don’t come if you can’t,’” she says. “That’s the kind of stuff this is going to be perfect for.”